On a Mission

Hello. Again. It's been so long. I have been in Brasil serving a mission and I have returned. I missed my blog, I missed innumerable things from home but I was out there doing something I never thought I could do. And I did it. I survived. I learned a beautiful language I never thought possible, I learned to love the Brasilian people, and I learned to love myself. It was eighteen months of difficulty and I never learned so much in such a short time. Priceless. It is now part of me.

I have been transferred permanently to a new mission: home. And to be here with my family once again is a joy beyond expression.

This past weekend we took our beloved Bounder (motorhome) down to San Elijo, a campground close to San Diego where we have spent many a precious holiday. For me, it was my light at the end of the seemingly endless tunnel of the mission (having made the reservations 7 months before the date). What is left of our family in LC, me and my parents, headed down to relax for 2 days. I tried out the stand up board, which I managed to stay up on most of the time. We hit up the normal spots, our donut haven, prized seaside market and antique mall, all of which yielded unforgettable treasures. It had been chilly and unpleasant for weeks and cleared up just that Friday and Saturday when we arrived. The mission blessings are flowing.

And we are steeped in wedding tasks. It's closing in quickly and we have many lists to check off. But how good it is to be able to help my Mom with all of this, it's really a treat. And how grateful I am that Taylor waited to make his vows.

Stay posted for further updates. There is much to say besides what I have written but to say it all would fill volumes. I must be precise.